Laminated shoehorn

ABSTRACT

A laminate having upper and lower strata is provided for incorporation into a shoe as an integral part thereof. The lower stratum includes a tab portion having flocking on one face for cushionable engagement with the heel of a person&#39;&#39;s foot and a glazelike surface on the opposite face for slidable engagement with the counter of the shoe. The profiles of the rearward edge of the lower stratum with the exception of the tab portion and the rearward edge of the upper stratum substantially conform to the profile of the rearward edge of the shoe sock lining. The upper stratum and lower stratum are bonded together, the rearward edges being in registration. The laminate is bonded to the shoe in such a way that the tab portion and the upper and lower strata are adapted to be pulled up for engagement with the heel of the person&#39;&#39;s foot as it is about to be placed within the shoe and are adapted to slide downwardly with the foot as it is inserted into the shoe.

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[54] LAMllNA'KElD EEHUEIHIURN [72] Inventors: Rocco 1E. Paoletta, Boston; William lPetrou, l-laverhill, both of Mass.

[73] Assignee: llerma llllom Sales (imputation, Haverhill,

Mass.

[22] Filed: July 27, 11970 [21] Appl. No.: 58,4102

[151 fi bdfifiw lFelh. 2 2, 1972 Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson AttorneyMorse, Altman & Dates A laminate having upper and lower strata is provided for incorporation into a shoe as an integral part thereof. The lower stratum includes a tab portion having flocking on one face for cushionable engagement with the heel of a persons foot and a glazelike surface on the opposite face for slidable engagement with the counter of the shoe. The profiles of the rearward edge of the lower stratum with the exception of the tab portion and the rearward edge of the upper stratum substantially conform to the profile of the rearward edge of the shoe sock lining. The upper stratum and lower stratum are bonded together, the rearward edges being in registration. The laminate is bonded to the shoe in such a way that the tab portion and the upper and lower strata are adapted to be pulled up for engagement with the heel of the persons foot as it is about to be placed within the shoe and are adapted to slide downwardly with the foot as it is inserted into the shoe.

8 Claims, 9 Drawing; Figures PATENTEOrsaze I872 sum 1 BF 2 fl/ l AL INVENTORS ROCCO E, PAOLET WILLIAM BY PETRA l F 4 FIG3 ATTORNEYS SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTORS ROCCO E. PAOLETTA WILLIAM PETROU ATTORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field oflnvention The present invention relates to shoehorns and more particularly to a laminated shoehorn that forms an integral part of a shoe.

2. Description of the Prior Art Various laminated shoehorns have been proposed for incorporation into a shoe as an integral part thereof. Early laminated shoehorns of relatively simple construction suffered from the disadvantage that they eventually resulted in a discomfort to the shoe wearer. In light of this eventuality, laminated shoehorns of relatively complex construction were fabricated. These subsequent laminates proved to be costly in production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a laminated shoehorn characterized by upper and lower strata and adapted for incorporation into a shoe, either during or after manufacture, as an integral part thereof, The lower stratum includes a tab portion having flocking on one face for cushionable engagement with the heel of a persons foot and a glazelike surface on the opposite face for slidable engagement with the counter of the shoe. The profile of the rearward edge of the lower stratum, with the exception of the tab portion, and the rearward edge of the upper stratum substantially conform to the profile of the rearward edge of the shoe sock lining. The upper stratum and the lower stratum are secured to each other by an adhesive, the rearward edges of the strata being in registration. The laminate is bonded to the sock lining in such a way that the strata rearward edges are seated registerably with the rearward edge of the sock lining and the tab portion, lower stratum, and upper stratum define an integral shoehorn adapted for upward and downward movement within the shoe. The laminate is pulled up for engagement with the heel of a person's foot as it is about to be placed within the shoe and slides downwardly as the foot is inserted into the shoe, the flocking cushionably engaging the foot and the glazelike surface slidably engaging the shoe counter. The combination of lower stratum, tab portion, and upper stratum is such as to provide a comfortable, laminated shoehorn of simple construction.

The invention accordingly comprises the laminated shoehorn possessing the construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, the scope of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a vertical section taken through a shoe having a laminated shoehorn made according to the invention, the shoehorn being in the lowered position;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken through a shoe having a laminated shoehorn made according to the invention, the shoehorn being in the elevated position.

FIG. 3 is a top plan of the shoehorn ofFlG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan of the shoehorn of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the lines 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective of an alternate form of the shoehorn of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top plan ofthe shoehorn of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan of the shoehorn ofFIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a section taken along the lines 9-9 ofFIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. I and 2, there is shown a shoe 10 having a laminated shoehorn 112 made according to the invention and incorporated therein as an integral part thereof. Shoe 10 is comprised of an upper 14, an insole 16, an outsole 18, a heel 20, a counter 22 and a sock lining 24. The shoehorn is bonded to the sock lining in such a way that the laminate is adapted for upward and downward movement within the shoe. The shoehorn is pulled up for engagement with the heel of a persons foot as it is about to be placed within the shoe (FIG. 2) and slides downwardly as the foot is inserted into the shoe (FIG. 1).

Generally, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, a, and 5, laminated shoehorn 12, which is adapted for incorporation into the shoe during manufacture, comprises an upper stratum 26 and a lower stratum 28. The profile of upper stratum 26 defines a truncated oval which substantially conforms to the profile of the inner rearward portion of the shoe. Lower stratum 28 is provided with an integral tab portion 30 which extends from the rearward arcuate edge thereof. Tab portion 30 is narrowed at 32 so that it is more easily bent in this area. Flocking 34 is attached to the topside of stratum 28 and tab portion 30 for cushionable engagement with the heel of a persons foot. The underside of stratum 28 defines a glossylike or glazelike surface 36 which is adapted for slidable engagement with counter 22 as the foot is inserted into shoe 10. The profile of lower stratum 28, with the exception of tab portion 30, generally defines a truncated oval which substantially corresponds in shape to the profile of the rearward portion of upper stratum Upper stratum 26 and lower stratum 28 are bonded together in such a way that their arcuate rearward edges are registerable. In the preferred embodiment, upper stratum 26 is a pliant sheet material that is composed, for example, of a fibrous material such as fiberboard. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the forward edge of upper stratum 26 is skived at 35. For best results, each of lower stratum 28, and tab portion 30 is a pliant sheet material that is composed, for example, ofa leatherlike material such as leather, vinyl polymer, etc. Typically, the thickness of upper stratum 26 is in the range between 0.02 to 0.06 inch and the thickness of lower stratum and tab portion 30 is in the range between 0.01 to 0.04 inch. Accordingly, neglecting the thickness of flocking 34 which is typically in the range between 0.006 to 0.010 inch, the thickness of shoehorn 12 in the area that the upper stratum and the lower stratum are bonded together is in the approximate range of 0.03 to 0.10 inch.

Upper stratum 26 is bonded to sock lining 24 in such a way that the rearward edge of each are registerable and the shoehorn is adapted for upward and downward movement within the shoe, the sock lining acting as a hinge. As shown in FIG. 2, the shoehorn is pulled up for engagement with the heel of the foot as it is about to be placed within the shoe. As the foot is inserted into the shoe, the glazelike underside of lower stratum 28 slidably engages counter 44 and facilitates entry of the foot. After the foot is positioned within the shoe, tab portion 30 is bent upwards and substantially conforms to the inner rearward face of counter 22 and the arcuate rearward edges of the upper and lower strata abut counter 22, as indicated in FIG. ll, flocking 34 providing a comfortable support for the shoe wearer.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9, there is shown a shoehorn 38 which is adapted for incorporation into a finished shoe as an integral part thereof. Shoehorn 38 comprises an upper stratum 40 and a lower stratum 42. The profile of upper stratum 40 defines an oval, the rearward edge of which substantially conforms to the profile of the inner rearward edge of the shoe. The underside of upper stratum 40 is provided with a fabric mesh 44 and a pressure-sensitive adhesive 46, fabric mesh 44 enhancing the cohesive bonding; properties of adhesive 46. As shown in FIG. 6, a web 50 having a silicone release coating on its top side is attached to adhesive 46 as a protective member.

Lower stratum 42 is provided with an integral tab portion 52 which extends from the rearward arcuate edge thereof. Tab portion 52 is narrowed at 54 so that it is more easily bent in this area. The profile of lower stratum 42, with the exception of tab portion 52, substantially conforms to the profile of the rearward edge of upper stratum 40. Flocking 56 is attached to the topside of lower stratum 42 and tab portion 52 for cushionable engagement with the heel of a persons foot. The underside of lower stratum 42 defines a glossylike or glazelike surface 58 which is adapted for slidable engagement with the shoe counter as the foot is inserted into the shoe. The underside of upper stratum 40 and the top side of lower stratum 42 are bonded to each other by means of adhesive 46 in such a way that their rearward arcuate edges are in registration. For best results, each of upper stratum 40, lower stratum 42, and tab portion 52 is a pliant sheet material that is composed, for example, of a leatherlike material such as leather, vinyl polymer, etc.

As previously stated, shoehorn 12 is adapted for incorporation into a shoe during manufacture and shoehorn 38 is adapted for incorporation into a finished shoe. In order to attach shoehorn 38 into the shoe, the user strips off web 50, whereby pressure-sensitive adhesive 46 on the underside of upper stratum 40 is exposed. The shoehorn is placed within the shoe in such a manner that the rearward edge of the sock lining and the rearward edge of lower stratum 42 are registerable, tab portion 52 being upturned and abutting the inner face of the shoe counter. The user presses the topside of the forward portion of upper stratum 40 having the exposed pressure-sensitive adhesive on its underside down onto the sock lining, whereby shoehorn 38 is permanently attached to the sock lining. Shoehorn 38 is used and functions in the same manner as described in connection with shoehorn 12.

Since certain changes may be made in the foregoing disclosure without departing from the scope of the invention involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and depicted in the accompanying drawings be construed in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. A shoehorn adapted for incorporating into a shoe comprising:

a. an upper stratum having a fabric mesh and a pressuresensitive adhesive on its underside, the profile of the rearward edge of said upper stratum substantially conforming to the profile of the inner rearward portion of the shoe;

b. a lower stratum having a tab portion at the rearward edge thereof, the profile of the rearward edge of said lower stratum, with the exception of said tab portion, substantially corresponding to the profile of the rearward edge of said upper stratum; and

c. flocking attached to the topside of said tab portion, the underside of said tab portion and lower stratum having a glazelike surface, the topside of said lower stratum bonded to the underside of said upper stratum, the rearward edges of upper and lower strata being registerable.

2. The shoehorn as claimed in claim 1 wherein the profiles said upper and lower strata, with the exception of said tab, substantially define a truncated oval.

3. The shoehorn as claimed in claim 1 wherein said upper and lower strata are composed of a vinyl polymer.

4. A shoehorn adapted for incorporating into a shoe comprising:

a. an upper stratum, the profile of the rearward edge of said upper stratum substantially conforming to the profile of the inner rearward portion of the shoe;

b. a lower stratum having a tab portion at the rearward edge thereof, the profile of the rearward edge of said lower stratum, with the exception of said tab portion, substantially corresponding to the profile of the rearward edge of said upper stratum; and c. flocking attached to the topside of said tab portion, the

underside of said tab portion and lower stratum having a glazelike surface, the topside of said lower stratum bonded to the underside of said upper stratum, the rearward edges of said upper and lower strata being registerable;

d. the profile of said lower stratum, with the exception of said lower tab substantially defines a truncated oval and the profile of said upper stratum substantially defines an oval;

e. said upper stratum having a fabric mesh and pressure-sensitive adhesive on its underside.

5. The shoehorn as claimed in claim 4 including a web having a silicone release coating, said web removably attached to said adhesive, said web defining a protective member for said adhesive.

6. An improved shoe of the type wherein a counter and sock lining are provided, and wherein the improvement comprises:

a. an upper stratum, the profile of the rearward edge of said upper stratum substantially conforming to the profile of the rearward edge of said sock lining;

b. a lower stratum having a tab portion at the rearward edge thereof, the profile of the rearward edge of said lower stratum, with the exception of said tap portion, substantially corresponding to the profile of the rearward edge of said upper stratum; and

c. flocking attached to the topside of said tab portion and lower stratum, the underside of said tab portion and lower stratum having a glazelike surface, the topside of said lower stratum bonded to the underside of said upper stratum, the rearward edges of said upper and lower strata being registerable, the topside of said upper stratum bonded to said sock lining in such a manner that said upper stratum, lower stratum, and tab portion are adapted for upward and downward movement in said shoe, said sock lining defining a hinge.

7. The improved shoe as claimed in claim 6 wherein each said upper stratum, lower stratum, and tab portion is a pliant sheet material.

8. The improved shoe as claimed in claim 7 wherein said upper stratum is composed of a fibrous material and each said lower stratum and tab portion is composed of a vinyl polymer. 

1. A shoehorn adapted for incorporating into a shoe comprising: a. an upper stratum having a fabric mesh and a pressuresensitive adhesive on its underside, the profile of the rearward edge of said upper stratum substantially conforming to the profile of the inner rearward portion of the shoe; b. a lower stratum having a tab portion at the rearward edge thereof, the profile of the rearward edge of said lower stratum, with the exception of said tab portion, substantially corresponding to the profile of thE rearward edge of said upper stratum; and c. flocking attached to the topside of said tab portion, the underside of said tab portion and lower stratum having a glazelike surface, the topside of said lower stratum bonded to the underside of said upper stratum, the rearward edges of upper and lower strata being registerable.
 2. The shoehorn as claimed in claim 1 wherein the profiles said upper and lower strata, with the exception of said tab, substantially define a truncated oval.
 3. The shoehorn as claimed in claim 1 wherein said upper and lower strata are composed of a vinyl polymer.
 4. A shoehorn adapted for incorporating into a shoe comprising: a. an upper stratum, the profile of the rearward edge of said upper stratum substantially conforming to the profile of the inner rearward portion of the shoe; b. a lower stratum having a tab portion at the rearward edge thereof, the profile of the rearward edge of said lower stratum, with the exception of said tab portion, substantially corresponding to the profile of the rearward edge of said upper stratum; and c. flocking attached to the topside of said tab portion, the underside of said tab portion and lower stratum having a glazelike surface, the topside of said lower stratum bonded to the underside of said upper stratum, the rearward edges of said upper and lower strata being registerable; d. the profile of said lower stratum, with the exception of said lower tab substantially defines a truncated oval and the profile of said upper stratum substantially defines an oval; e. said upper stratum having a fabric mesh and pressure-sensitive adhesive on its underside.
 5. The shoehorn as claimed in claim 4 including a web having a silicone release coating, said web removably attached to said adhesive, said web defining a protective member for said adhesive.
 6. An improved shoe of the type wherein a counter and sock lining are provided, and wherein the improvement comprises: a. an upper stratum, the profile of the rearward edge of said upper stratum substantially conforming to the profile of the rearward edge of said sock lining; b. a lower stratum having a tab portion at the rearward edge thereof, the profile of the rearward edge of said lower stratum, with the exception of said tap portion, substantially corresponding to the profile of the rearward edge of said upper stratum; and c. flocking attached to the topside of said tab portion and lower stratum, the underside of said tab portion and lower stratum having a glazelike surface, the topside of said lower stratum bonded to the underside of said upper stratum, the rearward edges of said upper and lower strata being registerable, the topside of said upper stratum bonded to said sock lining in such a manner that said upper stratum, lower stratum, and tab portion are adapted for upward and downward movement in said shoe, said sock lining defining a hinge.
 7. The improved shoe as claimed in claim 6 wherein each said upper stratum, lower stratum, and tab portion is a pliant sheet material.
 8. The improved shoe as claimed in claim 7 wherein said upper stratum is composed of a fibrous material and each said lower stratum and tab portion is composed of a vinyl polymer. 